Kelly Spring Repair

What: Volunteers from the Huachuca Gould’s Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation repaired the collection pipe, pipe insulation, and drinker at Kelly Spring in the Huachuca Mountains

When: October 18th, 2016

Where: Hunter Canyon, Huachuca Mountains, Cochise County

General Information: In March of 2003, volunteers from the Huachuca Gould’s Chapter modified a dilapidated livestock development for wildlife use. Water collected in a mine shaft filled an existing storage tank via a 400 foot plus HDPE pipeline. A nearby drinker connected to the storage tank was installed, also.

The Monument Fire of 2011 destroyed or damaged much of the Chapter’s earlier work. Only the metal storage remained intact. After a couple days of work in early November of that year by the Chapter, the Kelly Spring development was once again functioning. Now let’s fast forward to late September of 2016. During a routine inspection visit, John Millican noticed that water was low in the storage tank and that the collector pipe at the spring had broken off.

About 2 weeks later on October 18th, 7 volunteers from the Huachuca Gould’s Chapter walked the ½-mile or so to the development to make the necessary repairs. Besides a broken collector pipe, sediment had plugged the pipe line. The group replaced the collector pipe, snaked the line, re-insulated the pipe around the storage tank, and recoated the surface of the drinker.

Two days later, John Millican revisited Kelly Springs and happily reported that the storage tank and drinker were full. The development is now functioning as it should just in time for deer season.

Acknowledgements: Participating in the repair work were John Millican, Tom Fuller, Randy Keiller, Wayne Kaiser, Bob Pourier, Dave Inman, and Tom Deecken. Dave Inman doubled as the photographer for the work day as well. All are active members of the Huachuca Gould’s Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation.

Image Descriptions: The following images show volunteers from the Huachuca Gould’s Chapter repairing the collection tube at the mine and recoating the drinker down canyon.

01 Starting at the Source- Tom Deecken probes for the broken collection pipe in the mine at the start of work. John Millican looks on.

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02 Tranquility or Panic- Tom Deecken asks himself why he drew the short straw again. How are the water and bugs?

04 Back at the Drinker- Meanwhile down at the drinker, Tom Fuller applies a new coat of sealant. Looking on are Wayne Kaiser, Bob Pourier, and Randy Keiller

05 Relief Shift- Taking their turn at applying the sealant (better described as that black, sticky stuff) to the drinker are Wayne Kaiser (right) and John Millican. Standing just beyond splatter range is Bob Pourier

06 Break Time- Randy Keiller keeps a dead tree from moving

07 Group Portrait- Success for the Kelly Spring work group. From left to right are Tom Deecken, Bob Pourier, Randy Keiller, Wayne Kaiser, Tom Fuller, and John Millican. Not pictured is photographer Dave Inman.

Yes, you are correct, that is our own Tom Deecken (left) in a photo, thanks Tom as always for the great work reporting this event.